Denison City Council affirms $2.49M bond package, debates budget priorities and Washington Park bathroom funding

City staff presented revisions to the proposed 2025 bond package and councilors agreed to proceed with the amount presented: $2,488,090.00. The package removed several items (including a snowplow, wellness center pledge and certain street/bridge items) and added others such as 2nd Avenue South (15th–16th), Broadway resurfacing (12th–15th) and an adjacent block of South Main. Councilors noted they could add additional projects to a future bond if needed.

In budget discussions for fiscal year 2025/26, Finance and city staff reported the general fund deficit had been reduced to $50,000. Staff recommended focusing on departments with increases over 5 percent. Council debated whether to delay purchase of a new police vehicle for one year; Police Chief Trejo said his department’s priorities are in-car computers, cameras and telephones and noted Unit 4 has incurred about $7,000 in repairs so far this year. Council reduced Police Department budget lines for new equipment to $10,000 and IT to $15,000.

Council discussed the Aquatic department budget and wage increases; Councilor Logan said he would prefer to pay higher wages for pool employees and to delay the police vehicle purchase. Garcia and Flaherty indicated they would work with departments to manage schedules and costs.

City Manager Garcia reported that several federal funding sources were on pause, citing notices affecting the EPA Brownfield grant, FEMA BRIC grant and a Homeland Security grant, and said the RHRA group awaits Iowa State Extension results. Garcia asked the council to clarify use of bond funds to update Washington Park bathrooms; councilors agreed to complete the bathrooms this fiscal year and amend the budget accordingly.

The meeting proceeded to a closed session later in the evening; the council returned with no action taken.